Chiwetel Ejiofor & Lupita Nyong’o nominated at British Academy Film Awards

Nigerian–British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kenyan actress, Lupita Nyong’o have been nominated at the 2014 EE British Academy Film Awards.

Chiwetel and Lupita were nominated for their role in the movie, ’12 Years a Slave’ – Ejiofor stared as Solomon Northup, while Lupita was casted as Patsey.

Chiwetel is up for the ‘Best Actor’ category, while Lupita was nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ and ‘Rising Star’ categories.

Also, the director of the movie, 12 Years a Slave, Steve McQueen also got nominated in the Best Director category.

FASHION 101! See How Ghanaian Celebrities Abuse Fashion and Make-up [PICZ]

When it comes to fashion, Ghanaian celebrities don’t disappoint their fans; their near nude dress sense is always a recurring decimal at any social gathering. It was not different at the just concluded Ghana Movie Awards, as most celebs came out in all forms and sizes trying so hard to ‘redefine’ fashion and make-up lines.

Check out more photos on the flip and see how make-up has assumed another dimension in Ghana.

Woman Died In Hospital Not My Office, Says Gov Aliyu

Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has denied reports that a woman died in his office.

The governor on Tuesday said that 46- year -old Hajiya Belkisu Mahmoud died at the Minna General Hospital almost half an hour after she was rushed out of his office on Monday.

“The woman came into my office panting, initially I thought it was because of the staircase she climbed but she told me that she was sick and has a heart problem.

“She came to complain on some issues in the state and as she was speaking, she started coughing and at a point she requested that her bag which contains her drugs, but left in the waiting room be brought for her.

Leonardo DiCaprio Opens Up On How He Survived a Shark Attack [VIDEO]

Leonardo DiCaprio shared an unforgettable experience with audience members as he stopped by "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Tuesday, January 7. The star of “The Wolf of Wall Street” casually mentioned during the show that he was almost eaten by a “gigantic great white” in 2006.

“I had a huge fear of sharks, and when I did 'Blood Diamond' in 2006 I actually got stuck in a cage with a great white, which was awesome,” he said. “It was a gigantic great white ... They actually said in 30 years this has never happened, but the tuna kind of got stuck on the top of the cage and the great white leapt out and tried to bite it and went into the cage with me.”

“Half of its body was in and out, and I flattened down at the bottom, and it was this far away, and it chomped a few times but I survived it,” the ‘Titanic’ star added.

See video below

How 18-yr-old boy killed 12-year-old girl for money ritual

The police in Lagos State, yesterday, said they have arrested an 18-year-old boy, Ikechukwu Friday, who allegedly killed a 12-year-old girl for money ritual.

The suspect, who is currently being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, was paraded before newsmen.

According to him, a pastor he asked for money instructed him to kill a young girl and obtain her faeces.

He said the pastor promised him ₦100,000 if he was able to accomplish the task.

According to him, “I attend a popular church around Ketu Street, Aguda but I live with my parents in Badagry. I just finished secondary school and I have been very broke so I approached the pastor for money but he told me that I should strangulate a little girl.

“He said when strangulating the girl, she would pass out faeces. The pastor said I should obtain the faeces and bring it to him. He said if I could do this, he would give me ₦100,000.

Eva Longoria Sizzles on the Cover of Maxim's Woman of the Year Issue [PICZ]

It's only a few days into 2014, but Maxim has already set their eyes on Eva Longoria as their Woman of the Year. In the magazine's January/February issue due on news stand January 17, the former "Desperate Housewives" actress is sizzling as she strikes sexy poses in various skimpy outfits and gives her best come-hither look.

"It's especially awesome after how long it's been since my first cover," the 38-year-old brunette beauty tells the magazine.

See one more photo on the flip.

I pray to have artistes bigger than Wizkid – Banky W

In a recent interview with a Nigerian radio station, Banky W disclosed that his greatest prayer is to have artistes that will excel more than Wizkid, who is also signed under EME.

Banky W said, “Bad news is more interesting to people than good news and when you don’t give people bad news, they just find a way to create it just to get traffic to their website or sell their newspapers.

Contrary to what was reported, Wizkid never actually left (EME). We understood that we had to restructure because he was getting bigger.

He now has his imprint called, ‘Star Boy’, which is normal. Jay Z signed Kanye (West), who now has G.O.O.D Music. Everything is fine; Wizkid is still with the team. I am very proud of him and I pray that all of my artistes will grow as far as Wizkid and even more.”

Vincent Enyeama Named Europe’s Best Goalkeeper

Super Eagles vice-captain and Lille of France safe hands, Vincent Enyeama has been picked as the best goalkeeper in the major leagues across Europe in the 2013/14 football season.

Research by supersport.com showed that the ratio of saves made to goals conceded by the Nigerian is by far and away the most impressive, compared to any goalkeeper at any football club in any of Europe’s top leagues this season.

The 31-year-old conceded eight goals in 19 league appearances for Lille OSC this season and was voted best player in Ligue 1 on two consecutive occasions ahead of stellar individuals like Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani, Mathieu Valbuena, Radamel Falcao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg is America's Biggest Philanthropist

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executive of Facebook, was the US's biggest charity donor in 2013, according to a list of publicly-available donations.

Mr Zuckerberg, 29, and his wife Priscilla Chan gave $990m (£598m) to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the California charity, in December.

The donation, made up of 18m Facebook shares, made up almost a third of the $3.4bn that America's wealthiest philanthropists - those who gave more than $100m - donated in 2013, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

In total, 15 Americans donated more than $100m last year; a rebound in charitable giving after 11 donated the amount the year before. The research does not include those who gave anonymously.

Why I Donated My Kidney To Save OJB's Life –– Mabel

In a recent interview, veteran producer OJB Jezreel and his first wife, Mabel talked about their marriage and why she gave him a kidney.

Excerpts;

How long have you been married?

OJB: We have been married for 20 years.

When and how did you meet?

OJB: We met in church. The church just opened in the area and she came with her younger sister who was my friend. The sister was the matchmaker. To a large extent then, I think I was looking for a partner. As with everybody, you get to a stage where you feel you have to make your life more grounded and I was looking in the direction of marriage.

Bandits Kill RCCG Area Pastor, Cut out His Intestines

An Area Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and a Senior Manager at the Red Star Express, a courier company, Tunde Olawuwo, has been murdered.

PM News reports that after taking his life, the attackers cut him up and placed his intestines on his chest.

It was gathered that Olawuwo was killed at about 4 am on Sunday at his residence in Magboro area of Ogun State, western Nigeria.

The killers reportedly arrived at the pastor’s house at about 2am but could not gain entrance into the house until 4am. They broke in through the window and began shooting into the ceiling where the pastor was said to have hidden.

The deceased was said to have fallen from the ceiling and was shot several times by the killers.

Boko Haram Bomb Maker Arrested By JTF in Jigawa

The Joint Task Force, JTF, has said it has apprehended a Boko Haram chieftain, who doubles as the group’s bomb maker in Kazaure, Jigawa state.

Spokesman of 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Kano, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said six people were rescued during a dawn raid that led to the arrest of the yet to be identified terrorist.

Those rescued were three women and three toddlers, suspected to be family members of the man who intelligence gathering revealed has been in the business of aiding and abating terrorist activities in the North.

Iweha said: “In continuation of operations aimed at complementing the efforts of military operation in the North Eastern part of the country and as is customary with the JTF in Kano, the command deems it fit to keep the general public up to speed with developments in the fight against terrorists in its area of operational responsibility.

Buhari, Tinubu & APC Leadership are Bunch of Hypocrites – Presidency

The presidency has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and particularly its leadership comprising Major General Muhammadu Buhari and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, of double standards and being inconsistent on national issues.

In a paper titled, “Nigeria in 2014: Facts Versus Fiction”, written by the Special Assistant to the President, New Media, Mr. Reno Omokri, the presidency described the opposition and its leadership as a bunch of “hypocrites” who would stop at nothing to “secure political power by whatever means necessary”.

Omokri recalled that on December 18, 2013, several newspapers had carried the statement from APC which called on President Goodluck Jonathan to respond to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter on the grounds that the allegations contained in the letter warranted a response.

However, he expressed surprise that after the president did exactly what the APC had recommended, it changed its tune and on December 26, the party berated Jonathan’s response to Obasanjo’s letter.

Zimbabwean Writer Blast Comedian Basket Mouth Over ‘Rape’ Joke

Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basket Mouth got more than what he bargained for recently, after he posted a joke that had ‘rape’ inclination.

Though the comedian has deleted the joke and apologised on his twitter page, but the ripples the joke generated has crossed the borders of Nigeria. (See a snap shot of the joke below)

One of the folks who felt slighted by the joke is a Zimbabwean writer/blogger, Barbara Mhangami. Barbara, who currently resides in the US with her husband and four daughters, lashes at the comedian in a piece she titled, “Mister Basketmouth, Rape is NOT a Joke!”

Excerpts,

“Dear Mr. Basketmouth. I write in peace, because war does not solve anything. Moreover I am desperate to communicate in a way that will get you to understand the gravity of what you did by sharing a horrible joke, whose punchline is rape.

Why I gave my producer a brand new 2013 Camry — KCEE

Limpopo crooner, Kcee was in the news recently for handing the key of a brand new 2013 Toyota Camry to Del’ B, the producer of Kcee’s popular hit track.

Kcee who came back into reckoning in 2013 with his popular song Limpopo tied down a number of endorsements, chief among them was his MTN ambassadorial deal, which came shortly after releasing the song.

Del’ B, who produced some of the hit tracks in Kcee’s album which was released late last year was said to have been shocked about the new gift which he received as his new year gift from the hip-hop star.

Photos from Soul Singer, Bez and Bolatito’s Wedding in Lagos

Nigerian soul singer, Emmanuel Bezhiwa Idakula, popularly known as Bez and his heartthrob, Bolatito Ladoja, daughter of Ex-Governor of Oyo state Rasheed Ladoja, exchanged marital vows yesterday in Lagos.

See more photos on the flip.

Soyinka’s daughter, Iyetade to be buried January 10

Iyetade Soyinka, the late daughter of Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, will be buried next week in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The deceased, born on June 5, 1965 and survived by a daughter, Oreofe, and a son, Adeoto, passed away on December 28, 2013 at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, after a brief illness.

A statement by the family said Iyetade will be laid to rest “on Friday, January 10 in Ibadan, after a funeral service at the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan, at 11a.m. A short service of songs will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, 9 January.”

It noted that the death had brought “great sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss,” describing the deceased as a cherished daughter.

The statement further narrated that Iyetade had her early education at the Staff School of the University of Ibadan and Queens School, Ibadan. Her higher education was at the University of Ibadan, where she focused on science courses.

Terry G Says He Was Not Stoned on Stage: Find out what happened!

Terry G is shutting down rumours that he was injured when he recently took to the stage to perform.

The Nigerian music star was billed to perform alongside Ice Prince and J Martins at the IBB Square, Malkurdi, Benue for a show.

After Ice Prince wowed the crowd, it was time for the always energized performer to rock the stage.

According to his publicist, after he performed his songs – Free Madness and Akpako Bombom, the anxious fans at the event were already crossing the barricade erected by the security officials.

But by the time he delivered a fan favourite – Halleluyah, his overzealous fans who clearly love him as an indigene of the state, trooped to the stage and efforts by the security personnel to push them back resulted in a very physical protest.

“I Can Act Nude for $50m” – ‘Clinic Matters’ Star, Amanda Ebeye

Nollywood Actress, Amanda Ebeye has stated that she can act nude in any Nollywood movie if given 50 million dollar.

In a recent interview with Punch, the ‘Clinic Matters’ star said “I cannot act nude but like I have said before, if you pay me about $50m, I will. Please who is the first to pay? I can shave my hair because I’m an actress. If the role requires it, if it is a beautiful script and the money is good, I will do it. It will not be because it is the trend. It is not because Mercy Johnson did it, so I should, no, that is not enough reason. Right now, the script has to be outstanding for me to be interested in shaving off my hair.”

Iyanya Talks Marijuana, Davido’s Birthday Party, His Body & More [VIDEO]

Iyanya gives account of the widely publicized incident at Davido's birthday party where it was reported that he was bounced. He also disclosed why he does not have his personal waist yet, his take on the use of Marijuana and more.

See video below;

Militant Chief Majid al-Majid 'dies in Lebanon'

Majid al-Majid, the commander of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades, has died in custody in a hospital in Lebanon, state media said.

Majid al-Majid, a Saudi who is on Saudi Arabia's most-wanted-terrorists list, was arrested in Lebanon recently.

Lebanese security sources said Majid al-Majid died in a military hospital in Beirut on Saturday, a day after going into a coma suffering from kidney failure.

It was only on Friday that the Lebanese authorities said that DNA tests had confirmed his identity.

Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn earlier confirmed the commander was being held by army intelligence in Beirut and was "being interrogated in secret". He refused to say when and how the arrest took place.

Kunle Afolayan Talks about His Film ‘October 1st’, Says He Wants More Than Nollywood [VIDEO]

Nigeria's film industry, known as Nollywood, started just over 20 years ago and is now the third largest in the world.

Many of its low-budget films follow well-tried formulas with huge doses of love, betrayal and, often, witchcraft.

However, some Nigerian filmmakers are working outside the Nollywood genre, hoping to succeed internationally. Kunle Afolayan is one of them – in this interview with BBC, the film-maker talks about his latest film, “October 1^st” and his plans for the future.

Rapper Eva Alordiah Denies Dating Music Video Director Patrick Ellis

Chris Brown Welcomes New Year By Putting On a PDA With Karrueche Tran [PICZ]

True love knows no barriers - even the ones set by a court-ordered residential rehab program.

Despite being in rehab, Chris Brown spent New Year's Day with his lady love Karrueche Tran, who paid a visit to the controversial hip-hop crooner.

The 25-year-old aspiring model tweeted out a photo of the couple as they frolicked in the grass outside of the clinic.

Both she and the 24-year-old singer are wearing traditional New Year's crowns as Tran sucks on Brown's tongue.

'Getting chrae on New Years Day haha #Corny #Ha#HappyNewYears,' captioned Brown's girlfriend.

Nigeria's First Lady May Die; I do not see Nigeria at semi-final of 2014 W/Cup – Primate Ayodele

 Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has joined Nigerian Ministers to prophecy for 2014. The Primate is known to have predicted the Sosoliso and Bellview Airline crashes few years ago.

Hear him,

Concerning the year 2014, I will advise every Nigerian to take time and be prayerful for the country and for themselves from the 1st to 3rd of January, 2014. This is for God to prevent imminent dangers ahead of the nation and the economy. Let us take it from here. I don’t see anything happening in the Nigerian economy. I see debts everywhere- our crude oil, foreign reserve, and all.

States will be in debt, the Federal Government will be in debt and Nigeria will be planning to go borrow money. So, the government has to be very careful not to be affected by these debts. Prices of food will increase drastically and flour will be scarce and become very expensive. Corruption too will be more prevalent because this government lacks the power to fight it. Fighting oil theft will also pose a major challenge and Nigeria will beg America to support her in the fight. The price of petroleum will increase as well.